Tears as Goldie is buried

LAGOS—Emotion ran high as friends, colleagues and family members paid their last respect to the late pop singer and former Big Brother Africa star, Goldie Harvey, when she was buried yesterday.

Goldie died penultimate Thursday night after a brief illness at Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos. She was buried yesterday at Ikoyi Vaults and Garden, Lagos.

The songstress’ remains was brought into the premises in a R350 Mercedes Benz by MIC Caskets and Rangers at 9.30am accompanied by some of her close friends, including Denrele Edun.

Her husband, Mr. Andrew Harvey, who reportedly was refused visa into the country, finally made it to the burial. He performed his last duty to his wife whom he married in 2006.

Goldie’s funeral procession … in front is her widower Andrew Harvey

Missing at the funeral rites, that had only family members and some close friends of the departed songstress in attendance, was Kenyan rapper and Goldie’s friend, Prezzo. He was last week warned by Goldie’s husband not to attend his wife’s burial rites.

The coffin, however, was carried from the MIC Hearse to the grave yard where a prayer was offered for the repose of her soul. The short ceremony ended with the dust-to-dust event.

Goldie’s husband, in his graveside tribute, said that there would be no other Goldie as her life though short was memorable.

He said: “Those cheeky smile, the time we spent together, oh no, there will be no other Goldie. God bless your soul in heaven.

“Susan you walked into my life. It was like God sent you as a fresh breath. I still remember your response to my first love message. You said, ‘Love killed Romeo, sent Diana to an early grave and killed Jack on the Titanic. Forget about love, just have friendship and live long.”

The officiating minister, Pastor Oluleke Akinola urged the mourners to consider the brevity of life and make their life count on earth.

Goldie’s youngest brother, Gideon Filani refused to be consoled as he lamented the sudden demise of his sister, saying she died without fulfilling some of the promises she made to him.

He said: “Big sister, like I always called you, it is painful that a lot of things you said you would do, you couldn’t accomplish them. Why? Only eternity will tell but till we meet again.”

Kenny Ogungbe, President, Kennis Music Records, the label that signed Goldie on, who led other entertainers to the burial rites was short of words.

He muttered “Goldie’s death was painful, but it will unite the music family more as they take their fate into their hands.”

Some of the entertainers and dignitaries who were at the burial ceremony included former presidential candidate and Ovation magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, Mayor Akinpelu, Kunle Bakare, Gbenga Adeyinka I, Julius Agwu, Tiwa Savage and her fiance, Teejay Bliss, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Olisa Adibua, Sexy Steel, Queen Ure, Weird MC and the Kennis Music label family. Others were Jumobi Damijo, Denrele and Eedris Abdulkareem, who arrived after the event.